Yesterday went to TSC to pick up some horse wormer and had to wait 20 min for someone to open the case. Worker apologized, and when I said it was just weird since they had much more expensive items out for the taking, he said it was due to the people who fight pitbulls stealing it. Boy did I have an "Ah HAH!" moment. Ivermectin and Moxidectin, the primary ingredients in most horse wormers, are also used as heartworm preventatives in dogs, but is only available by veterinary prescription. People who keep a "yard" of fighting dogs would use a lot, AND there is no way in you-know-where they'd be able to take their battle scarred dogs in to see a vet without being reported.

It just about broke my heart. Heartless bastards will fight their dogs to the death, hang/electricute/throw away the losers, but heaven forbid that a heartworm infection hinders their performance! From now on, I don't mind waiting. Went straight home and hugged Izzy.

That's sad. But I am a bit taken back by the information. I wouldn't think anyone who fought pitties would care about heartworms. They would just breed or use them as bait dogs until they died. I wish the authorities would go after dog fighting like they do other crimes.

Logged

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.-Antone FranceAnimals share with us the privilege of having a soul.-Pythagoras

Wow! Thaat is amazing. For one you reminded me I still have to worm Fireman. Two, I wish they would go after dog fighters more aggressively too. Fighting here is cut way back since the animal control and police have out a low tolerance on it. Any fighting is done way behind the scenes. I know it still happens, but it is a lot more secretive than it use to be years ago. Cock fighting still goes on too, but most of it is done in Mexico.

Layne, for all the horrifics of dog-fighting, those dogs are some of the most highly supplemented/medicated/best fed/etc. dogs on the planet. Well, at least the winning/good prospect dogs are. It's a lot like the thoroughbred horse racing industry- the best feed, best medicines, etc and as long as they are winning, all's good. Get hurt where it is not profitable to fix it or rehabilitate it, and off to the kill-buyer they go. These dogs don't even get that- they are either left to bleed to death/die on the spot, electrocuted, hung, etc. I read everything I can get my hands on, have watched tons of documentaries and undercover underworld videos on dog-fighting, and it is truly amazing and sickening. Of course, that "best care under the circumstances" are the well-known fighters/breeders- the backyard thug who fights in the neighborhood on the weekend isn't going to have the knowledge/access/funding for that kind of care. The thing is, "that kind of care" ends when the winning does.